University of Washington holds after-sunset finals for Muslims fasting during Ramadan

Finals at University of Washington have occurred during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast during the day. Some professors at the Bothell campus are keeping their doors open until midnight to allow students who fast to do their best.

Last year, Biology Professor Bryan White found out that his Muslim students’ grades steadily improved throughout the quarter, but dropped sharply on their final exam.

The students told him they had been having trouble focusing because it was Ramadan, the holy month in Islam where Muslims fast during the day. White was bothered by the notion that there was something he could have done.

White this Ramadan held two sessions of final exams on Wednesday: one at the normal time in the morning, and one at 10 p.m., after the sun went down and students got a chance to eat. Two other UW Bothell professors have decided to do the same, one of them, Rania Hussein, is also Muslim.